2026 Atlanta Documentary Film Festival Online Screenings

Directed by  Paul Catalanotto

104 min. 

After the Devil is Dead is a gripping documentary that follows Mike Lester as he confronts the decades-old mystery of his mother’s unsolved murder. Along the way, he reckons with the trauma of his father’s abuse and the painful rift with his siblings, weaving a story of truth-seeking, family fractures, and the search for closure.

Screening online March 23 - April 6, 2026

Available in USA 

Directed by Brandon Rice

75 min. 

Every December, millions of children around the world believe in the magic of Santa Claus—but behind the red suit and white beard are the men who dedicate their lives to keeping that magic alive. Behind the Beard pulls back the curtain on the world of professional Santas, exploring the artistry, sacrifice, and heart it takes to embody the most beloved figure of the holiday season. 

Screening online March 23 - April 6, 2026

Available Worldwide

Directed by Susan Danielle Pinchiaroli, Lucy Spahr

20 min.

When a family business making purses from old books becomes a lifeline for their son Christian, who is on the autism spectrum, it reshapes all of their lives.

As his parents enter their mid 70s, they face difficult questions about his future and whether he can carry the business forward. Bindings is a moving portrait of love, caregiving, and planning for what comes next.

Screening online March 23 - April 6, 2026

Available Worldwide

Directed by Cameron S. Mitchell

95 min. 

A family’s investigation into the history and memory of the Nazi Aktion T4 program which targeted over 300,000 disabled people and catalyzed the Holocaust.

Screening online March 23 - April 6, 2026

Available in USA 

Directed by Justin Tolliver

115 min. 

At once nostalgic and forward-looking, For Your Amusement celebrates the tactile, social, and uniquely human side of an industry that continues to coin the business of fun. From arcades to pinball, fortune tellers to claw machines, coin-operated amusements have taken many forms over the years. While often easy to overlook, their lasting appeal across generations is undeniable.

Screening online March 23 - April 6, 2026

Available in USA 

Directed by Jesse Carfield

58 min. 

When my dad uncovered a storage unit filled with Ric Routledge’s forgotten tapes and raw footage, a lost chapter of his life emerged. Ric revolutionized dog shows and then disappeared into obscurity. Now his story, told in his own words, finally comes to light.  

Screening online March 23 - March 29, 2026

Available in USA 

Directed by Mike Meyer

72 min. 

This documentary follows the life and times of the haunted attraction industry in the United States - the history, the people, the lasting imprint it’s had on the culture.

Screening online March 23 - April 6, 2026

Directed by Joseph Guerra

71 min. 

In 2017, a series of seemingly random shootings terrorized Tampa’s Seminole Heights neighborhood, leaving four people dead and a community on edge. With few leads and mounting fear, the film examines the investigation and the lasting impact on a neighborhood forever changed.

Screening online March 23 - April 6, 2026

Directed by Sandra Luckow

107 min. 

Vanishing: A Love Story is a documentary about award-winning novelist Cai Emmons and her loving, open-hearted journey towards death. In 2021, at the age of 70, Cai was diagnosed with ALS. Taking place in 2022, during the last six-months Cai’s life, the film is, first and foremost, a story about the agency of expression —having a voice to create a legacy in the world.

Screening online March 23 - April 6, 2026

Available Worldwide

Directed by Thomas Seymour 

82 min. 

From Blockbuster dreams to streaming screens, a filmmaker’s journey through a vanishing world. Follow a director’s thirty-year odyssey to get on the shelf of Blockbuster Video and beyond. A tale of struggle, perseverance, and what to do when your dreams no longer make sense.

Screening online March 23 - April 6, 2026

Available in USA